China’s plans to launch cargo service through PoK raises security concerns for India

China is planning to launch its ambitious road and rail cargo service to Pakistan, which would pass through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Indian security experts said that this would increase security risks in the area. Speaking about the PoK cargo service, Xu Chunhua, director of Lanzhou International Trade and Logistic Park said that the cargo route will start from Lanzhou, capital of northwestern China’s Gansu Province, and pass through Kashgar in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to the Gwadar Port of Pakistan. However, Xu Chunhua did not specify the exact date or month when the service will be launched.

It may be recalled that rail and road link between Lanzhou and Kathmandu was already launched last year in May. China is also targeting to increase its exports via the USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The CPEC corridor will allow China to export its goods to Pakistan as well as to most other countries in the Middle East and Africa. India has consistently objected to the CPEC corridor, saying that it’s a violation of its sovereign rights, since the territory is being forcefully occupied by Pakistan.